When I Grow Up…

I just love mornings.  I'm usually propped up in my bed reading my Bible when my 5 year old gets up and comes in to snuggle with me.  He's so active during the day that I rarely get a chance to sit and spend time with him.

The conversations we have in the mornings are absolutely priceless.

This morning I asked him what he wants to be when he grows up.  I had no idea what he would say because it's always changing from a fireman to a policeman to Daniel Boone or an Indian.

But he said, “I want to be a Pastor.”

“Really?!”  I thought about commending him for the wonderful choice he had made.  I would be honored to have a son grow up and become a Pastor.

But I just couldn't.  Instead I had to say,  “Do you know what I want you to be when you grow up?  I want you to be whatever God wants you to be.”

He simply replied, “That's awesome.”

And it is.  Whether he ends up being a garbage collector, a doctor, a woodworker like his dad, or a pastor, it's just awesome to be doing exactly what God wants.

Trust and obey,

For there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.

Relishing the Ordinary

It was an ordinary evening.  I was unloading the dishwasher while dinner was heating up on the stove.  My 15-month-old was “helping” me, while my 5-year-old ran around the kitchen like a wild Indian, playing with his new ball.  My husband was in the other room spending time with our 3-year-old daughter.

I stopped to take it all in, and I realized I was having the time of my life!

It wasn't a special holiday.  Everything that was going on was very ordinary, but I was enjoying myself immensely!

I could have this much joy every day if I would only choose to.

I don't need to wait for something special to happen to enjoy  life.  I can choose to enjoy every moment.

When I'm cooking an “ordinary” supper, I can stop and thank the Lord that I have food to prepare for my family and a stove on which to prepare it.

When I'm doing an “ordinary” dishwasher unloading, I can be thankful I have the luxury of owning a dishwasher.

When I'm changing an “ordinary” diaper I can be thankful for these little ones God has entrusted to me.

If I stop and think about the blessings God has given me, the ordinary things seem so much more special.

Just since that evening a few days ago, I have tried to stop and think throughout the day about God's blessings and to make a conscious choice to enjoy what He has given me – not just on the special days.

What will you enjoy today, my friend?  The smell of a Christmas candle?  The sound of Christmas music on the radio?  The love of your family on this ordinary day?  The pretty things God has given you to decorate your home?

Stop.  Look.  Listen.  Enjoy.

Everything we have is a gift from God.  He loves us, and has given us “richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).

So let's enjoy what He's given.